No big deal. I cannot float at all. If I lay on my back, I will sink
feet first, but then my head goes beneath the water too.

I don't see where the problem is for you, however.   You may need to
work a bit for the drills at the beginning of the course, but it just
means that you will need to adjust your weights differently.

I use a 1 lb ankle weight around the neck of the tank (with the tank
fairly high on my back)to trim myself to level.

Selection of fins will make a difference for you as well.

Chicka have more fat than guys, they generally float better.

They generally use less air too.

Oh, we've heard of it alright.  Some of us have been there and done that.  I
wish I was still in good enough shape to have the problem these days.

What's happening is that you don't have sufficient body fat (buoyant) to
offset your bone and muscle (not buoyant).  So, you sink.  If you tilt your
head all the way back and take the deepest of breaths, you may float with
just your face above water.  When you absolutely have to breathe, you exhale
and inhale fully as quickly as possible.  It's not easy and it's not
relaxing.  That's what I had to do to pass my Water Safety Instructor course
many, many years ago.  I don't have the problem any more.

If you have to float, for a test or something, and can't do it any other
way, see if you can get away with wearing a wetsuit.  All wetsuits are at
least a little buoyant.  The thicker they are, they more buoyant they are.

Lee

Its quite normal, I'm 57 and have never been able to float, feet go down and
I stabilize about 3 inches below the surface. My slightly overweight wife
thinks it funny, she folds her arms and just floats. When we did our OW and
had to float/tread water, she just stood there, upright without doing
anything. I was not happy, but I managed to get through it.
gary

I have the reverse problem I have been diving snorkel and scuba for
over 45 years an am not over weight.
Without a suit I require between 1 1/2 and 2 kilos of lead just to get
neutral bouyancy. I have always been able to compensate for over one
kilo of lead just by simple breath control.
Think about it your gear is going to be 2 kilos lighter than mine when
you are carrying it to the boat or dive site. Whats your problem.

Bob M

Gary,
There are two types of body chemistry: floaters and sinkers.  You're dealt
whatever you're dealt.  If you're a sinker, you can fill your lungs and sink
slower - but you'll still sink.  The condition is well known.  There are
fewer sinkers than floaters from what I've seen.